Most Dickin Medals awarded (species)

Since the PDSA's Dickin Medal for animal gallantry began in 1943, it has been awarded 74 times (plus one honorary award) with the most frequent recipient being the dog (Canis lupus familiaris), with 37 canine winners to date. The most recent recipient (and 37th dog) is Hertz, a German short-haired pointer, who was awarded the medal on 22 February 2022. A retired RAF military service dog, Hertz served with British and Allied troops in Afghanistan in 2013. The PDSA singles him out as "the first dog in British military history to detect electronic communications equipment such as mobile phones, voice recorders, SIM cards and GPS device". During his tenure, Hertz detected more than 100 contraband items, including drugs and personal electronic devices, all of which had posed a significant risk to civilians and military personnel alike.

Described as the "Victoria Cross for service animals", the Dickin Medal was established in 1943 by Maria Dickin, founder of the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) veterinary charity. In addition to the 36 dogs that have received the honour, the medal has been awarded to 32 pigeons, four horses and one cat. Three carrier pigeons, named White Vision, Winkie and Tyke, were the first to receive the award on 2 December 1943, in recognition of the WWII air crew they had saved by delivering emergency messages after the planes had been forced to ditch in the sea.

In addition to the Dickin Medal, the PDSA also now has two other awards for non-military animals: the "Gold Award" is for brave animals that have saved human lives in the civilian sphere, while the "Order of Merit" is for animals that have gone above and beyond in their care and duties in other roles.